The Next Stage (COMPLETED)

FIFTY SIX: Past & Present

"Suicide parin ba yung tawag doon? Kapag iba yung papatayin mo?" Tanong ko sa kaniya. Tumawa ulit ako.

Pinutok niya yung baril. Napapikit ako...

Hindi saakin tumama. I already expected that, alam kong hindi niya yun kayang gawin.

"Shoot. Damn picture." Sabi niya sabay bato ng baril sa sahig. I looked at where he's looking.

And yes, binaril niya lang naman yung picture namin ni Julia. What a jerk. Tao pa ba siya?

Dahan-dahan ko ulit siyang nilapitan. Hinigit ko yung kwelyo niya. Kanina pa 'to. Kahit kailan, wala na siyang nagawang matino.

Magsama sila ni Charisse. Suicide squad, perfect.

"Bakit mo ginawa 'yun?" Tanong ko. Nakahawak parin ako sa kwelyo niya.

"Bro, that's just a freaking picture. You want example, right? There, I gave it to you." Binitawan ko siya, enough for him to fall down.

"Hindi ako childish na magagalit lang dahil sa isang picture. Narinig mo yung sumigaw kanina? Kapatid ko 'yun. She must be so shocked dahil sa kabaliwan mo!" Sigaw ko.

"Pwede ba? Kung wala kang gagawing matino, just please get out of my room." Sabi ko.

Tumawa siya, then he got up slowly. Kulang pa yung ginawa ko sa kaniya pero ayoko na, nakakaawa.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'll give you what you want. But before that, I just want to add something very important." Kinuha niya ulit yung baril niya at tinago sa bulsa niya. Pasalamat siya, hindi banned ang baril dito.

"Julia and your child. Mapapahamak yung dalawang importante sa buhay mo kapag sinubukan mo siyang lapitan. Seven months, Zach." Sabi niya at umalis na. Wow, just wow.

I shouted out of my frustration. Wala na, hindi ko na talaga alam yung gagawin ko.

He gave me seven months to stay away from Julia. And seven months to pursue her.

Fine, I'll give him what he want. Wag lang mapahamak si Julia. Ayoko ring mamatay yung lalaking 'yun dahil sakin, konsensya ko pa 'yun.

And my child...hindi ko alam.

My cellphone began to caught my attention kaya kinuha ko ito.

Charisse sent me messages.

'Hi babe, I'm on the way to Canada. Don't worry, I already forgave you for leaving me alone in Hongkong. Can you please fetch me at the airport? Your baby wants to see you. Take care, love you'

At talagang ginamit niya yung bata? Even if she did that, I still don't care.

It's still morning, and yet parang pagod na pagod na 'ko. And yet that guy ruined my day so easily, and also that woman.

Kaagad akong pumunta sa kabilang unit. I want to see my sister.

"Zach, good morning. Join us for breakfast." Then she smiled. Ang gandang salubong.

I smiled, too. "Harry, can you do me a favor?" I asked. He arched his eyebrows.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya then I whispered in his ears, "Can I take her out? Is it possible?" I asked.

Tinawanan lang niya ako. Nakikipag-usap naman ako ng maayos eh.

After a few seconds, he nodded. "Eat your breakfast first, your sister cooked that for you." Then he looked at her and I did the same. Nakasmile lang siya parati, nakakawala tuloy ng frustration.

He stood up and got me a plate and utensils. There are various of meals na nakahain. Niluto niya talaga 'to lahat?

"Uy, anong sinabi mo kay Harry?" She asked, looking so curious.